Marilyn Riley Obituary

Marilyn Kay, "Kay," (Lewis) Riley, of Grand Haven and formerly of Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. She was 77. Born on September 19, 1948 in Hart to Hubert and DeLoris (Clark) Lewis, she graduated from Shelby High School in 1966. She attended Muskegon Community College (then Muskegon Junior College) and graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Western Michigan University in 1970. She worked for what was then Department of Social Services in both Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services as a caseworker in Osceola, Oceana, and Grand Traverse Counties. She later spent several years as a stay-at-home mother and homemaker after marrying John Peter Riley, Jr., who also worked for DSS. Kay and John raised their two children in Mt. Pleasant, where they resided for 43 years.
Kay was wickedly funny, even though she was also a quiet introvert. She was a talented seamstress and creative in all kinds of artistic pursuits, including needlepoint, painting, and crafting some pretty amazing Halloween costumes. She loved flowers, and she was fiercely protective of her family.
Kay is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, John; daughter, Sarah Riley Howard (Kevin); son, Sam Riley (Sylvia); granddaughters, Cynthia ("Thia") and Clara Howard; grandson, Wyatt Gold Riley; her siblings,, Diane (John) Hendrixon, Ellen Vanduyvenvoorde, and Jack (Elaine) Lewis; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.
To donate in Kay's memory, the family suggests Christmas Outreach of Mt. Pleasant, where Kay volunteered for many years. The family will receive visitors at a memorial reception at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Era to be announced at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Sign the online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com